5 Things That Will Hurt a Used Car's Resale Value

Not being prepared when it comes time to sell your used car will hurt its resale value. There are five things you can do that could earn you hundreds of additional dollars on the price of a used car you are selling.

1. Not Keeping a Used Car's Maintenance Records

You should really keep every maintenance record from the first time you buy a new car. The same is true if you have bought a used car. Keep all the maintenance records for it from the time of purchase. Savvy used car buyers are going to know when you bought your car based on a purchase of its vehicle history from either Carfax or Auto Check. Not being able to produce maintenance records could indicate you don't maintain your used car, which is going to lower its value.

2. Any Sign of Children When You Are Selling It

It's true - most people associate children with messy vehicles. It's almost impossible to keep them clean whether it's because of misplaced toys that melt or food and drink spills. Get your car professionally detailed before selling it if you have a family. Kids are great, but most folks don't want to own a used car where children have lived.

3. Selling a Used Car with a Mechanical Defect

There's a legal axiom that a lawyer never asks a question in court without knowing the answer ahead of time. Yet, people will sell their used cars without knowing its true mechanical condition. There are a couple of options here. The first would be buying a CarMD. You're going to want one as you look for used cars. Start off by using it on your own used car. It will give you a report on potential problems. Don't be surprised if prospective owners show up with one. The second thing you can do is have your used car inspected. A certified mechanic will come to your home and inspect your car and tell you what's wrong with it. You can then decide if you want to get the work done, but at least you will know what problems your used car might have.

4. Customizing Your Used Car

Let's say, for example, you own a Dodge Neon. You've invested a lot of money into it for a huge spoiler as well as large wheels, a souped exhaust system and a special suspension. You then go to sell it and find an extremely small market for the car. "But," you sputter, "it's in perfect shape. Why aren't people buying it?" You've created a niche vehicle. And, within that niche of people who might buy it, you've narrowed things even further to people who want to buy a car customized exactly how you like it. It's difficult to sell these types of vehicles if you are in a hurry. Strip the car as much as possible when you are selling it back to its original parts if you have them.

5. Posting Videos Involving Your Used Car

Here's something most used car sellers don't realize: smart shoppers will Google your name and car make and model just to see what pops up. So, your buddy videotaped you racing another friend in an industrial park. That's going to show up on a search engine. Same thing is true if you were driving the car and arrested by the police. A DWI article will include your name, as well as the type of vehicle you were driving when stopped.


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Top 10 Most Stolen Used Vehicles for 2010

Here's an interesting article we wanted to share, written by Keith Griffin from About.com .  Who would have thought?

"Here's something to keep in mind when used car shopping: the most stolen vehicles in 2010 were all used cars.


That should make some of you say, "Well, duh. Brand new cars are only stolen off new car dealer lots. Otherwise all stolen vehicles are used cars."

I know but what's interesting about the report on most stolen vehicles in 2010 from the National Insurance Crime Bureau is how used some of these vehicles are. The youngest on the list of most stolen vehicles is seven years old. The oldest is 20 years old.

Without further ado, here is the list of the most stolen vehicles for 2010:

1.1994 Honda Accord

2.1995 Honda Civic

3.1991 Toyota Camry

4.1999 Chevrolet Pickup (Full Size)

5.1997 Ford F150 Series/Pickup

6.2004 Dodge Ram

7.2000 Dodge Caravan

8.1994 Acura Integra

9.2002 Ford Explorer

10.1999 Ford Taurus

I actually owned a 1995 Honda Civic for a few years. I'm glad it escaped the notice of car thieves where I live in Connecticut. That would have really bummed me out.

This is the first time since 2002 that domestics dominate the list. For those who track such things, three of the vehicles are pickups, five are sedans, one is a minivan and one is an SUV. Surprised the figure isn't higher on SUVs seeing as gas prices were lower in 2010.

As the NICB points out, older used cars are popular with thieves for their parts, which is why they get chopped up and not taken for joy rides. They're also easier to steal because modern cars have more devices to defeat thieves but no used car is truly invincible, especially when being stolen for parts.

The NCIB has lots of information about stolen vehicles. Head on over to its website if you are curious."
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